What is Rectification? Describe with a circuit diagram the working of a p-n junction diode as half wave rectifier with input and output waveforms.

Explanation

The process of conversion AC into pulsating DC is called rectification. The device which converts only positive half cycles of AC into DC is called half wave rectifier.

It is based on the principle that the resistance of p-n junction becomes low when it is forward biased and becomes high when reverse biased. During the positive half cycle of AC input A is positive with respect to B. The diode D is forward biased and it conducts. The out appears across `R_(L)`.
During negative half cycle of AC, A is negative with respect to B. The diode D is reverse biased and it does not conducts. Hence no output voltage appears across `R_(L)`. The diode only conducts positive half cycles of AC and hence it acts as a half wave rectifier